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2023 HONOUREES

International Reggae Day in accordance with the annual spotlight on an influential era of Jamaica's rich musical history, has compiled and now present, the IRD2023 80s-90s Dancehall Honourees Lists.

 

The creativity, acumen and influence of these persons and entities in various categories, were instrumental in Dancehall music culture’s ascension to become the global cultural phenomenon and genre influencer it became and still is.

 

We invite members of the media and other Reggae | Dancehall interests who have plans for JulyOne, to include these Honourees and associated citations in your commemorative plans for IRD2023.

TOP 30 ICONS

TOP 30 DANCEHALL ICONS

These outstanding artistes, are being recognized specifically for their invaluable contribution to the growth and export of 80s – 90s Dancehall music

1. Supercat
2. Shabba Ranks
3. Beenie Man
4. Bounti Killa
5. Buju Banton
6. Shaggy
7. Sean Paul
8. Chaka Demus & Pliers
9. Lady Saw
10. Yellowman
11. Ninjaman
12. Patra
13. Baby Cham
14. Ini Kamoze
15. Shinehead

 

16. Barrington Levy
17. Tanya Stephens
18. Sanchez
19. Wayne Wonder
20. Cobra
21. Papa San
22. Lt. Stitchie
23. Tiger
24. Capleton
25. Sizzla
26. Garnett Silk
27. Cutty Ranks
28. Spragga Benz
29. Frankie Paul
30. Sugar Minott

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PRODUCERS
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TOP 80s - 90s  JAMAICAN PRODUCERS

This list of 20 outstanding Jamaican music producers,, are being recognized for their invaluable contribution to the growth and export of 80s – 90s Dancehall music

1. Steely & Clevie 

Studio 2000


2. King Jammy

Jammy’s Records


3. Sly & Robbie

Taxi Records


4. Donovan Germaine

Penthouse Records


5. Henry 'Junjo' Lawes

Volcano


6. Winston Riley

Techniques


7. Gussie Clarke

Anchor Records


8. Bobby Digital

Digital B


9. Dave Kelly

Madhouse Records


10. Tony Kelly

K.Licious Music
 

11. Sting International

Big Yard Music Group


12. Robert Livingston

Big Yard Music Group


13. Jeremy Harding

2Hard


14. Clifton ‘Specialist’ Dillon

Shang


15. Handel Tucker

JGS


16. Fattis Burrell

Xterminator Records


17. George Phang

Powerhouse


18. Patrick Roberts

Shocking Vibes


19. Black Scorpio

Black Scorpio Records


20. Danny Brownie

Main Street Records

sound system

TOP DANCEHALL
SOUND SYSTEMS 

These outstanding Jamaican sound systems and their selectors, are being recognized specifically for their invaluable contribution to the growth and export of 80s – 90s Dancehall music

1. Stone Love 
Wee Pow | Rory 


2. King Jammy’s Hometown Hi Fi 
King Jammy | Shemmo 


3. Bodyguard
Courtney Singh| Johnny Guard| Junior Vibes| Big Mack 


4. Kilimanjaro 
Noel ‘Papa Jaro’ Harper | Ricky Trooper 


5. Metro Media 
Peter Metro | Dalton “Sky Juice” Bogle | DJ Oliver 


6. Bass Odyssey 
Keith Walford | Kevin Squingy Bennett

7. Black Scorpio
Jack Scorpio | Papa Screw


8. Renaissance
DJ Delano | Jazzy T 


9. Silver Hawk
Steely | Ballsy | Jerry | Fatta | Richie Poo 

10. Jah Love
Ilawi | Gary I 


11. Saxon Sound (UK)
Muscle Head – Papa Levi | Tippa Irie 


12. King Addies (NY)
Danny Dread | Babyface | Tony Matterhorn

anthems

TOP 10 DANCEHALL ANTHEMS
(80s - 90s)

1. Bam Bam
Sister Nancy (1982) 


2. Ring the Alarm
Tenor Saw (1985) 


3. Under Mi Sleng Teng
Wayne Smith (1985) 


4. Greetings
Half Pint (1985) 


5. Buddy Bye
Johnny Osbourne (1985) 

6. You Don’t Love Me (No No No)
Dawn Penn (1994)


7. Action
Nadine Sutherland | Terror Fabulous (1994) 


8. One Blood
Junior Reid (1995) 


9. Who Am I
Beenie Man (1997) 


10. If Jah Is By My Side
Tony Rebel (1997)

These outstanding recordings (listed chronologically) from the 1980s-90s, are being recognized as anthems of Dancehall culture worldwide

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Citations

80s - 90s  DANCEHALL
CITATIONS 

These 25 outstanding recordings (listed chronologically), are being highlighted for their invaluable contribution to the growth and export of 80s – 90s Dancehall music

1. Wa Do Dem
Eek A Mouse | Volcano (1981) 
 
2. Diseases
Michigan & Smiley | Volcano (1982) 
 
3. Pass the Dutchie
Musical Youth | MCA (1982) 
 
4. Electric Boogie
Marcia Griffiths | Island Records (1983) 
 
5. Jamaica Jamaica
Brigadier Jerry | Ras Records (1985)
 
6. Undercover Lover
Josey Wales | Powerhouse (1985) 
 
7. Punaany
Admiral Bailey | Jammy’s Records (1986) 
 
8. Wild Thing
Sister Carol | MCA (1986) 
 
9. Serious Times
 Admiral Tibet | Jammy’s Records (1987) 
 
10. Rumours
Gregory Issacs | Greensleeves (1988) 
 
11. Nuff Respect
Lady G | Anchor Records (1988) 
 
12. Kuff
Shelly Thunder | Rohit Records (1988) 
 
13. Wild Gilbert
Lovindeer | TSOJ (1988)

14. DJ Roll Call
Charlie Chaplin | Ras Records (1989) 
 
15. Rikers Island
Coco Tea | Greensleeves Records (1990) 
 
16. One Draw
Rita Marley | Shanachie (1990) 
 
17. Bandelaro
Pinchers | Jammy’s Records (1991) 
 
18. Housecall
Shabba Ranks ft Maxi Priest | Epic (1991) 
 
19. Son Bow
El General | New Creations (1991) 
 
20. Informer
Snow | Rhino Records (1993)
 
21. Gangalee
 Louie Culture | Stone Love (1994) 
 
22. Shy Guy
Diana King | Sony (1995) 
 

23. Fire Pon Rome
Anthony B | Star Trail (1996) 
 
24. Everyone Falls in Love
Tanto Metro & Devante | VP Records (1997) 
 
25. Heads High
Mr. Vegas (1997)

Gamechangers
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80s -90s DANCEHALL
GAMECHANGERS 

These live events, personalities, labels and a film company, are being recognized for their invaluable contribution to the growth and export of 80s – 90s Dancehall music culture

1. Sting (1984)

2. Bogle the Dancehall Master (1990s)

3. Carlene the Dancehall Queen (1990s)

4. Irish & Chin World Clash (1998)

5. VP Records (US)

6. HC&F Recording Studio (US)

7. Ras Records (US)

8. Greensleeves (UK)

9. Palm Pictures

10. Studio One Catalogue

Women in Dancehall

80s -90s DANCEHALL
WOMEN 

6. You Don’t Love Me (No No No)
Dawn Penn (1994)


7. Action
Nadine Sutherland | Terror Fabulous (1994) 


8. One Blood
Junior Reid (1995) 


9. Who Am I
Beenie Man (1997) 


10. If Jah Is By My Side
Tony Rebel (1997)

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1. Bam Bam
Sister Nancy (1982) 


2. Ring the Alarm
Tenor Saw (1985) 


3. Under Mi Sleng Teng
Wayne Smith (1985) 


4. Greetings
Half Pint (1985) 


5. Buddy Bye
Johnny Osbourne (1985) 

These Dancehall hits by fierce and talented Jamaican women (listed chronologically) captured the essence of the 80s-90s Dancehall era. With their powerful voices, infectious melodies, and bold lyrics, these artists made a significant impact on the Dancehall scene and helped pave the way for future generations of female artists in the genre.

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